99-Yr-Old Man From Kerala Gears Up For His 30th Trek In Himalayas

How many times the thought of making an adventure trip incepted in your mind but you could not lead with it due to some restraints? Don’t worry you are not alone, most of us plan trips to cancel it. However, the same cannot be said for P Chitran Namboodiripad, who is 99-year-old and has trekked in the Himalayas earlier this month for 29th time, reported The Hindu.

P Chitran Namboodiripad, who is a former Additional Director of the Kerala Education Department had a special relationship with the Himalayas from his childhood days. His ambition is to trek the Himalayas next year on his 100th birthday for the 30th time. The National Award-winning educationist covered Badrinath and Kedarnath in the first week of December this year. He had made the trip with a 118-member group from Thiruvananthapuram.

Neighbour’s Himalayas stories sparked his interest

Mr Namoboodirippad recalled that there was an old man named Kashi Nambeeshan, who used to live near his Pakarvur Mana home in Mookkuthala village in Malappuram district. He had gone to Kashi ten times. Once he had gone to the Himalayas as well. His Himalaya’s trip story compelled Namoboodirippad to make the pilgrimage to the Himalayas. He said that the Himalaya’s peace will attract anyone.

The first trip failed only to push him further

Namoboodirippad made his first trip to the Himalayas in 1952 when he was in his thirties and a serviceman. However, this trip was unsuccessful as he and his friend could not go beyond Rudraprayag as they were suffering from food poisoning. His next trip that took place in 1956 was successful. Digging into his memory lane, he said it was tough to travel the Himalayas in those days, as roads and other infrastructure were underdeveloped unlike now. He had to walk for more than 90 km through forests while reaching Badrinath from Rudraprayag.

Yoga, Walks And Proper Diet Was His Secret

His secret to fitness and sharp memory is that he follows a proper vegetarian diet. He also goes for a walk and yoga.

Mr Namboodirippad established a high school at Mookkuthala in 1947 after his post graduation from Pachaiyappa’s College, Chennai. Later on, he handed over the school to the Kerala government at a token amount of Re. 1. This was his proudest moment in life, he says.